ester
/ɛs.tɛʁ/masculine
The English word "ester" translates to ester in French.
In chemistry, ester refers to a chemical compound characterized by a carbon-oxygen double bond joined via a carbon atom to another oxygen atom.
Meaning: compound with carbon-oxygen double bond joined via carbon to another oxygen atom (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The word is a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɛs.tɛʁ/. It has 2 syllables.
Did you know?
- The specific French spelling of this chemical term was influenced by the German term 'Essig-Äther', meaning 'acetic acid ethyl ester', rather than following purely Latin-based French naming conventions.
- If you encounter the word ester in a very old French legal text, it might not be a chemical term at all, but a form of the verb 'to stand' or 'to be present'.
- In French, the word ester is used in chemistry to describe compounds that often create the smells of fruits and flowers.
Examples in context
- Cet ester a une odeur de fruit.This ester has a fruity smell.
- L'analyse montre la présence d'un ester.The analysis shows the presence of an ester.
- Il faut synthétiser cet ester en laboratoire.This ester must be synthesized in the laboratory.
Example conversation
Lucas and Emma are working together in a chemistry class.
- LucasRegarde, j'ai réussi à créer l'ester.Look, I managed to create the ester.
- EmmaC'est impressionnant, Lucas !That is impressive, Lucas!
- LucasEst-ce que tu sens l'odeur de l'ester ?Do you smell the ester?
- EmmaOui, ça sent vraiment la pomme.Yes, it really smells like apple.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “ester” translations and entries ester, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ester, CC BY-SA 4.0.
